Enjoy Flowers Across the Garden State at These 14 NJ Arboretums & Botanical Gardens
They don’t call it the Garden State for nothing! If you’re looking for Spring flowers this season, be sure to stop by one of these incredible arboretums scattered across New Jersey. (Not to be confused with public gardens which will appear in a different post).
14 NJ Arboretums & Botanical Gardens:
North Jersey:
The Frelinghuysen Arboretum, Morristown
The Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morristown, NJ is a 127-acre public garden and horticultural education center with beautiful collections of trees, shrubs, and flowers, as well as historic buildings and open meadows. Their mission is to promote public awareness of horticulture, cultural landscapes, and the natural world through stewardship, sponsorship of projects, and educational opportunities; and to further development of horticulture and research facilities at Morris County Park Commission’s horticultural sites.
353 E Hanover Ave, Morristown, NJ
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NJ Botanical Garden at Skylands, Ringwood
The New Jersey State Botanical Garden at Skylands appears on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. In 1966 the entire estate was bought by the State of New Jersey to form a State Botanical Garden whose settings include a Lilac Garden, Magnolia Walk, the Wild Flower Garden, the Crab Apple Vista, an allée of 166 trees extending almost a half-mile, and the Perennial Garden. The entire section now comprises slightly over 4,000 acres of parkland.
Morris Road, Ringwood, NJ
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Cora Hartshorn Arboretum & Bird Sanctuary, Short Hills
The Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary (CHA) is a non-profit organization located in Short Hills, New Jersey. The origin of the CHA goes back to a gift of land that Stewart Hartshorn made to his daughter, Cora L. Hartshorn, in 1923. Cora developed the area as a place where wild things could grow without harm and where people could come to enjoy them. The arboretum features a wide variety of native wildflowers and is also home to multiple species of ferns and trees. Cora Hartshorn also offers a natural amphitheater created by glaciers. Their goal is to promote an understanding of the relationship between people and the environment through programs that integrate arts, science, and the humanities with educational opportunities from school field trips, scout programs, family programs, adult workshops, summer camp, and more.
324 Forest Drive South, Short Hills, NJ
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Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Summit
Reeves-Reed Arboretum engages, educates and enriches its visitors so that they become better stewards of nature and the environment. This mission is achieved through the care and utilization of historic estate and gardens. The site covers 13 acres of landscaped lawns, gardens, and woodlands. They host many events including children’s educational programs.
165 Hobart Ave, Summit, NJ
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Willowwood Arboretum, Far Hills
The Morris County Park Commission has managed Willowwood, a 130-acre green space of gardens and meadows, since 1980 with the support of the Willowwood Foundation, donors, and volunteers. The park boasts rare native and exotic plants, totaling about 2,100 species, amidst rolling farmland, formal gardens, undisturbed forests, and historic tree collections. Visitors can enjoy oak, maple, willow, magnolia, lilac, cherry, fir, pine, ferns, wildflowers, and a remarkable 98-foot Dawn Redwood specimen.
300 Longview Rd, Far Hills, NJ
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Laurelwood Arboretum, Wayne
Laurelwood Arboretum spans 30 acres and boasts a rich botanical variety in Wayne Township. The property has two ponds, streams, woodland trails, and hundreds of uncommon plants and trees, including rhododendrons and azaleas. The park features gravel paths that connect throughout, making it an ideal spot for nature lovers, hikers, artists, and photographers. Laurelwood Arboretum was once a commercial nursery but is now a public park maintained through a partnership between the Township of Wayne and the non-profit Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum, Inc.
725 Pines Lake Drive West, Wayne, NJ
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The Arboretum at Liberty Hall, Union
The Arboretum at Liberty Hall houses several historically significant trees, including a horse chestnut tree planted in 1770 by the daughter of New Jersey’s first elected governor and Liberty Hall’s inaugural resident, William Livingston. The property also features Bartlett and Seckel pear trees dating back to the 18th century. Liberty Hall’s rich history began when Livingston bought a vast expanse of land in Elizabethtown in 1760, embracing country living and farming. The Kean family, Livingston’s descendants, occupied the property until 1995.
1003 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ
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The Thielke Arboretum, Glen Rock
The Thielke Arboretum in Glen Rock is a lovely park situated next to the Glen Rock Pool and athletic fields on Doremus Avenue. It serves as a “Garden of Trees,” hosting a variety of trees, shrubs, flowers, birds, and wildlife. The arboretum is an ideal destination for a field trip or a leisurely nature walk.
460 Doremus Ave, Glen Rock, NJ
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Wagner Farm Arboretum, Warren
The Wagner Farm Arboretum Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises funds to support a suburban conservancy and learning center on the former Wagner Farm. The arboretum’s mission is to promote environmental and horticultural education for children and adults through the collection, study, and display of plant life in a natural setting. The goal is to encourage the cultivation and conservation of plants, increase community involvement, and promote environmental awareness.
197 Mountain Avenue, Warren , NJ
Central Jersey:
David C. Shaw Arboretum, Holmdel
The David C. Shaw Arboretum at Holmdel Park was established in the fall of 1963. Its 22 acres contain hundreds of species, cultivars, and varieties of ornamental trees and shrubs. The Arboretum is an educational and horticultural display devoted to the culture and study of many kinds of trees, shrubs, and other woody plants that grow in Monmouth County. The goal is to educate homeowners about the many excellent varieties and cultivars of woody plants that can be used in their own landscapes. The Arboretum is named for David C. Shaw who served as Monmouth County Shade Tree Commission superintendent from 1963 to 2002. The installation of the Arboretum was one of Mr. Shaw’s first projects.
Holmdel Park, Pond Walk, Holmdel, NJ
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The Arboretum of Colonial Park, Somerset
The Arboretum of Colonial Park is a conscientious institution dedicated to the collection, conservation, and care of trees and shrubs. Its mission is to promote education, inspiration, and enjoyment while nurturing and growing its collection in a manner that benefits the plants, the environment, park patrons, and employees. The 5 1/2-acre Arboretum, located in the western section of Colonial Park Gardens, houses over 900 specimens of trees and shrubs and promotes an understanding of the relationship between plants, people, and place through displays and integrated programs.
Colonial Park (Lot A & F), 156 Mettlers Road, Somerset, NJ
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Georgian County University Arboretum, Lakewood
Established in 1989, the arboretum at the campus comprises about 100 acres and is named after Sister Mary Grace Burns. Its collection of over 2,200 woody plants from 190+ species includes most of the native species of the New Jersey Pine Barrens and many non-native ones. Several species of endangered trees are listed on the IUCN Red List, and some of the largest trees in Ocean County are found here. The Italian, Formal, Sunken, and Japanese gardens, each with unique themed designs, feature historic statuary, sculptures, fountains, a Japanese teahouse, and woody plants. Among these gardens, the small Clethra alnifolia, holly, and magnolia collections are located between the Italian and Formal Gardens. The gardens integrate centuries-old ornate brickwork and marble, some of which were purchased by the Gould family from Europe.
Georgian Court University, Lakewood NJ
South Jersey:
Linwood Arboretum, Linwood
The Linwood Arboretum, dubbed the “smallest arboretum in the world,” has been open 24/7 since 2009 and is nationally recognized. The walk-through features trees dedicated along the way, and plans are in place for an expanded bike path and linear garden with lovely trees and plants. The Arboretum is a popular meeting spot and hosts the annual holiday tree lighting ceremony, featuring carriage rides and visits with Santa.
1410 Wabash Ave, Linwood, NJ
Barton Arboretum and Nature Preserve, Medford
The Barton Arboretum and Nature Preserve at Medford Leas spans over 200 acres across campuses in Medford and Lumberton, NJ. It combines public gardens, collections, and natural areas with private residential spaces. Visitors can enjoy a diverse range of designed gardens, landscaped grounds, meadows, woodlands, and wetlands, as well as an extensive plant collection, including native species, in southern New Jersey.
One Medford Leas Way, Medford, NJ
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